To review the results and factors affecting the surgical treatment of transverse acetabular fractures.

Among 15 cases of transverse fractures with an average follow-up period of 43 months (mean age, 46.6 years), there were 8 cases with and 7 cases without posterior wall fractures. Seven cases included those with a comminution of the weight-bearing dome. The post-operative radiographic results were evaluated using Matta's criteria. The final clinical results were evaluated using a modified Merle d'Aubigne scoring system.

All the fractures united. The average time for fracture healing was 17.5 weeks. The post-operative radiology results revealed 6 cases with an anatomic reduction, 5 cases with an imperfect reduction, and 4 cases with a poor reduction. The clinical results showed nine cases with satisfactory results but 6 cases with unsatisfactory results. Regarding complications, there were 4 cases with traumatic osteoarthritis and 3 cases with heterotropic ossification. The cases of an anatomic reduction showed a higher rate of satisfactory results. The comminution of the transverse fracture appeared to have an adverse influence on the radiological results after surgery, and also appeared to correlate with the development of traumatic arthritis.

Transverse acetabular fractures, if not reduced anatomically, may have a tendency toward traumatic osteoarthritis and a poor clinical outcome. Comminution of the dome may produce a poor outcome.